Elevator signaling system



March Z6, 1929. F. A. BoED'rcHER ELEVATOR SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Nov.29, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet. l

IN VEN T OR.

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lMau-ch 26, 1929. y F. A. BoEDTcHER 1,706,869

ELEVATOR SIGNALING SYSTEH Filed Nov.29. 1921 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY y? AT R' s Patented Mar. 26, 1929.

FRANZ A. BOEDTCHER, OF BERGENF'IELD, NEW JERSEY.

ELEVATOR SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application filed November 29, 1921. Serial No. 518,572.

This invention is an elevatorsignaling` system and relates, more particularly, to elevator installations wherein passengers push buttons, positioned at theseveral lio-ors ot a building7 are adapted to be operated by intend d passengers for the purpose ot actuating` signals in an elevator car, so that the car operator during` the travel of the car up and down the shaiit may know, when he is approaching a floor, whether or not passengers are waiting at such floor.

Various means tor accomplishing this end are well knownto the art, but, so 'ar as I am aware, all of them rely for their operation upon a direct mechanical connection between a relatively stationary element and a relatively movable element operable by a moving` car or some movingpart of the overhead thereof. 'lhat is to say, the means fior controlling` the signal has invariably either direct wiring,` connection with th signal or is adapted to be operatively connected thereto by mechanically cooperating" fixed and relatively movable elements. In many instances, the mechanical cooperation referred to comprises in the wiping oi' brush over iixed contacts although, in other cases, dashpots and other forms of electrical switches are ei'nployed.` f

Mechanical connections between a moving car or movin parts of the overhead and relatively stationary parts, are7 in practice, sub. ject to conside able wear7 which not infrequent y results .in breakage, lrloreover, with such mechanical connections, slippage invariably occurs particularly when the mechanism .is operated from the overhead, and this slippage results in 'false signals. In other words, the signals do not properly coordinate with the movements ot the car, so that a system wherein sliprmge has resulted willr he apt to give signals either heiore or ai'ter the time when they should `properly occur.`

lVith these considerations in mind, rthe prime object ot the present invention Ais to provide a simple, elticient and highly reli able means for `electrically controllingthe givingy oit signals in such manner as to en-r tirely obviate the necessity ot' mechanical connections betnnen the signal giving means in the car and theineans for controlling 'the signal giving means positionedexteriorly ol the car and free from movement therewith.` A further obgect ol' the invention is thek pronounced simplification of wiring in the signal system. In prior systems, the wiringv for a plurality of floors, say ttor example the wiring` of a ten story building, :is such that it invariably extends throughout practically all the lloors. 'lhat is to say the wiring for the tenth floor forms a part of the wiring tor the l'irst iloor and all intermediate floors7 so that in installing such firing, long lengths olf' wire or cable must be installed throughout the entire length of the shalt and the wiring for oneiioor mayat times extend throughout the entire length ot the shaft. This frequently requires ay number ot parallel leads which extend through several floors with eac-h leadheing)r adapted to ari-y out the signaling functions and only one of them. lilanitestly, this method of wiring is wasteiiul andexpensive and requires considerable loss of time in its installation.

rIn contradistinction to this prior method of wiring, the present invention provides for a simple form ci wi ring between a relatively small number ot floors. That is to say, wiring;l may be duplicated for say every two floors. In other words, the wiringp for the n second and third 'floor may be substantially sell contained and have practically nothinlcT `to do with the wiring; of the litth and sixth or lirst and second floors.

In practicl7 it is conwnientl and economical7 under the prese-nt iirvcntion, to overlap the wiring; of each two successive Heers, although three floors may be overlapped it it is desired to give a signal ot the i'lelayed type when a car is approaching 'the second or third floor ahead of the one from which it has been signaled to stop. Y

It will be apparent that by this method of. wiring, the luplication of long lines is entirely avoided and a very simple form ot wirine; diagram results, which wiring' diagram may be constant for buildings of widely dii"- iferent heights. For example, a wiringT diaf `fram tor a ivestory buihlingl may be substantially the same as Atl e wiring' `diaknram for a twenty story building, the diagram beingsimply duplicated from 'floor to Vfloor or from series ol floors to series of floors with mains or leads comiinon to all the floors eX- tending; tlnmuighout the length of the shaft, so that the various units oit the system may ted througlii common leads from a source ot electric supply. Gf these n'iains or trunk lines, I may use some of them as a main to a plurality oi :ars and also 'for both up and down directions and, in this .vay, I greatly minimize the wiring.; and render the installation unusually simple and economical to inst: ll and highly eliicient in practice. In fact, experience has shown that there is practically no upkeep on account of the simple Wiring and no mechanical connections as hei-einbefore'set iforth.

By installing the several lloors ol a building through the enuiloynient of what may be termed electrical or wiring units, the installation in a l'iuildinpl may proceed floor by floor or tivo or three tioors at a time, during;l the progr ot putti up the building, so that by the time the last i'ioor is completed, the electrical "wiring is also substantially coniplated.

Considering,v the invention in one of its important phases, and in the practical carryinav out thereof, I mount in.v stationary position, vertici lly ol the sha lt, a plurality of electrical devices or instruments, which, through their operation, are adapted to eileet the giving of a signal. in the clevator car. These electrical devices are adapted to be controlled by an electrical device or inst t nient. mounted on and movable with the car, but Without any meehani 'al connection between the electrical device on the cz r and the electric devices in the shaft.

As the car travel-s in the shaft, the electrical device thereon is adapted to actuate the relatively stationary electrical devices in the shaft vvliich are so ociated vvith the passonger-s push buttons at the various floors that when the electrical. devices in the sha'lt a 'e operated by the electrcal device on the ear, a'sigiial vvill be given in the ear, as the ca appr iaches the iloo at which a iarticular button has been opieraled, and comes within a predeternlined signalina` '/lone or distance.

' f' practical ttoriiis, the electri :al runient on the car embodies an elcctromagnet while the relatively stationary elcctri :al devices or instrruneins of the shalt embody movable arma uros` positioned substantially within the path of the electromagnet of the car, so that, as the car t averses the shailit, the electriinagijnet thereof is successively brought into cooperative relation with the arinatrn'es of the stationary elect-ric `instruments ot the sha"I and operates sait. instruments in succession, through movement of thei f armatures, due to the magnetic pull ot' the magnet of the car. This is the prel'erred construction, but I am aivare that equivalent means may be employed Without departing; from this invention, such for cxainple as electro, inductive means in place out the eleelroniac'net and its armature referred to. y

It will be apparent t ia' in the construetion speciiied, the niaggjne' ot the car does not necessarily tonen its armatures in the shaft and consequently there is no mechanical connection whatsoev \r betvv'een the signal ou the car and the instrument which operates it.

Another feature ot the invention resides in the tact that in an installation embodyin this invention, practically all ot the circu are normally dead and no i'iiaintaiiliucY circuits are required. This is highly important from a practical standpoint since it econo- Vmines in current consumption, and, furthermore, enables relatively light wiringl and light magnets.

In practically carryiiu'i' out the in vcnlion` the completion ot the signaling' circoli iz, of short duration; When delayed si` nais e1 iployeih the circuits for emitting the push buttons are only momentarily closed; and, the circuit for restoring? the armatures of the shaft instruments into normal onorative condition are also momentarily cl Moreover, the system is such that the pz en- ;erls lloor buttons may be used to signal one or more cars at the saine time.

Ileatures oil the invention, other than those specified, will be apparent from Ehe follovingg description and claims, ivlufu riz'il in conjunction with the accom ianI drawn i.

The accompanying drawings illustrato one practial embodiment of the invei'ilion, but the construction therein shown is to be una id derstood as illustfative, only, .not as defining' the limits ot the invention.

Figure l hows diagramma/tically the Wiringv diagram for one 'Hoor ot a building,

and

l `igures 2 and 3 show elements oit the diagram oit' Figure l in dilierent opeiil'i.'x conditions than tl'ase in which they a shown in Figure l.

This invention is :ulaptcd tor use in buildings having' any number of iloors and cinco its installation l`or several lloors inrolvcf-z, practically speaking, incre dluilicaliou ot the system to' any particular door, i have, in the interest olf ln'evity and clarity oi description, shown in the thawing-fs, the system as associated with one tloor and adaplrd for signaling,V a car when moving down the shalt.

In p'actice, the down signaling' system shovn in the drawings is duplicated 'loithe up directional movement of the car and each oit these systems responsive to particular passcngrorls push button ot the correspon(ling;l Hoor.

l lt, 1 an' elevator car of any conventional ,nounted for up and down movement -i i shatt and propelled and controlled in any are exemplary of the delayed signal giving means. rlhe signals are given through the operation oi' a passengers push button 5 at a floor.

In carrying out the invention, I mount on the car an electrical device 6 movable with said car up and down the shaft and in lined positions in the shaft are mounted certain electrical devices 7, S and 9, with which the electrical device on the car is adapted to cooperate,y vWhile these electrical de! rent to this magnet is preferably so conf `trolled that the magnet will be energized when the car is descending,` and deenergized when the car is ascending.y rl`he device or instrument 7 embodies an electromzugnet 10 with which cooperates an armature l; pivoted at 12 and carrying a resilient switch arm 13 adapted, when the armature is attracted to engage with a tired contact 14. lThe contact 11i and the switch arm 123 collectively constitute the setting switch of the system.

Coopera-ting with the armatnrell is a bell cranlr latch 15 pivoted at 6 and the oot of this latch carries a jn'ojectirng` pin 17. The shape ol the latch :normally causes it torgra f'itate into the position shown in Fig` ure 1 wherein it lies out of the path ot the armature and allows the'latter 'to drop and disengayge the switch arm i3 from contact 1li. lli, however, the latch is tilted against gravity into the position o'l Figure 2, the latch hears against the armature and Ilifts it to bring the arm 13 into engagement' with the contact 1st. The armature 11 is provided on its under side with a shoulder or stop 18 bach ol` which the nose of the latch is canggjht as shown in Figure il. The latch is thereby held against gravitating until the magnet l() energized to Vfurther litt the armature andl release the latch so th: 1 the latter can fall bach intothe position ot Figure 1.

lrlounted on the pivot 1G which carries 'the latch is a swinging hanger 19 which constitutes the armature oitl the muguet G oit the car, and this armature carries an arm 2() which projects into the path ot the pin car, the maenet 6 is brought into juxtaposed position with its armature 19 ot the instrument 7, the pull oin the magnet 6 pivotally- `momes armature 19 into the position of Figure 2 and in so doing, the arm 20 engages the pin 17 and tilts the latch into the position et said iifure, with the result that the switch arm 13 engages contact ltand closes a circuit, hereinafter described, ass ciated therewith. This circuit remains closed at this point so long' as the stop 1S locks the latch in place. Tl it is to say, until the magnet 1() is energized, whereupon the parts return to their initial normal position et Figure 1.

Thedevice or instrument 8 is the same, inV essential particulars, the instrument 7. 't embodies a magnet Q1, armature 22, sjn'ingi` Contact arm 23, Contact i2/l, latch 25, pivoted at 26. and an arniature 29 for the magnet i3. j

ilie device or instrument 9 embodies a vswitch 3() pivoted at 31 and adapted, when oscillated onthe pivot 31, to momentarily contact with a spring; contact rlhese parts collectively constitute the,resetting; switch oll the system. A spring 33 normally retracto the switch 3() into the 'lull line position of Figure 1, .but when the magnet 6 of the car is Ybrought into juxtaposition with this switch, it attracts the switch, against the teivion of the sprine'l 33, from thel lull 'on in Figure 1 to the dotted line position thereof. During this movement, the lower end of the switch wipes over 'the spring` contact 52 and completes a circuit 'associated therewith. As the car passes on and the magnet 6 moves out olf juxtaposition with the switch 3U, the spring 33 again acts to return the switch to the 'lull line position and again cam-ies the lower end tliereoil to wipe over the contact and again momentarily eomj'ilete the circuit re icrred to.

- The instruments or devices 7, 8 and 9 are mounted in lined position in the shaft in any suitable manner, but their positions are such that when the car travels in the shalt, the magnet G, is, through such travel, brought into relatively close prox iinity with the armatures 19, 2l) and 3l) o't' the instruments 7, B and i) and operates them in the manner described. The instruments 7, 8 and 9 are included in electrical circuits, certain ot which include an instrument 3l ott' which the pusn button 5 forms a part.

.ihe instrument 2M; is in mnny respectfthe same as the instruments 7Vand 8. lt embodies a meen 'i'. havin an armature 3G, pivote 'l at` o and carrying` a resi lent spring,r

'adapted when the armature 5G c-zintect 3h lifi'fed to he hrought into engagement with a iir-cd Contact 5S, with which is associated cnc-oi" the electric circuits of the system. A gravity latch l() pivoted at 41 is adapted up and down Il l) 58, eentect 'te be ope'uteil upon directly by the push! hutten 5 and 'tere-eil against gn'av'it-yV nte a punition wherein it will elevate the erniatures 3G and bring the spring Contact erin 3S inte engagement with the Contact 39.

inent net ac'teil upon by the magnet G,

hut is eperutml ineiiually through the push hutten lhe electrical circuit-s associated with the several instruments relierreil to and by nieans et which they are eeeiwlinecetl und cooperate Ver the 'liuli'illinent et'tlieir Vi"esfiective func- 'tiens will new be described.

4l?) designates any suitable seni-ce et elecic eiieiey, which, lei. the pui-pese et illus;- atiei is sli'cwn ay gene'iater. The inain 1 leef Vtre-iu the gene 'at-er 4t?) ainl i. branch .lo ilieiii'i this Inu-in laicls te the griwity latch Ll() et the `push hutten instrument. Freni the centac 1 3l), a. wire 4G leads te` the contactl'l and treni the gravity latch l5 et' the inc'ti'uinent T a wire fl? leatls te the lainp et. The lanip 4l and bell 3 are in unil trein the bell wires alti, l :incl 5() lead back te the generatei' circuit tlcscriljieil is Y LLB. The shunteil by a, wire 5l which extends trein the wire te the wire 4t) and includes the iainp 2, rlhe wire 5l ilse ineliules n switch 52 and the wire t8 inclinles a switch 5). he

switches anil. 5%) are .nianually eperatcil, se vthat at lthe will of the cir Operator, he inay rece-ive eitl'ier delayed er immediate signals. litter the switch 52 is epcneil aiul the switch cleseil, current tlewiii through the ci rcuit Llesci'ibei'l will illuminate the lanip si zin l ring the bell On tl'ie ether hzinil, it the switch 53 is Opened enti. the switch 52 clcsetl, the lainp 2 will be illiiniiniiteil.

lt the push button 5 is pressed, while vthe 'witch 52 is cleseel, and the arniziture 25() e evaitetl., as shewn :in l11 igure te close the it the entiict 39, current will iintely llew thruugh the wires all; anilv All-.5, nraalty latch ell), ai'niiiture 3G, spring` erin 39, wire Llt), wire 5l, switch 52, laiiip 2, wire ll) :intl wire 5() and by se (lf ing will illumina-te the lamp 2, thereby givan iinnieiliate signa-l irrespective el the itienr ei.: the cnr in the shalt.

Y .the switch 52 is opened :intl the switch 53 is eleeecl, when the push button is pressen the circuit will be closed et the in- 7 stiinnent but as eeen as the circuit ie breken at the centact 1l, the circuit will remain -fleiifl until the cer Llnrinc, ne ward insn'eniuit brings tue ininuet 3 inte The instrument Cooperative relatien with its arinzitifire 1) unil closes the circuit at this peint, wherenpen the lainp l will be illuiiiinateil anil the bell 3 will be cutis-eel te ringg, thus ,giving u signnl et the clelaiyetl type.

(iii the 'l'nllewii c,

push biitten instrument t liiiiil Vthence te inn conta 't 2l. Freni 'the gravity latch 25, wires 5G anti leail bach te 'the @ener but in the wire 5G is incluileil a .i itch 55, se cpe atii'ely associated with the :i: if er i l s ve ieratine nieehnnisin that this switch will remain open unless the car steps at the {leinen which the p ish button has been pi'eszfll. Switcl'ies uit this clniri'ictei' are gciiertihgv lnewn te the elevator sigiiuliiijc;` ui't :is Agevel'nei' invite-lies unil are centrelleil either by Vthe stepiliing eli the ui', the stertin i; irri the cai.' 0r by meveiiient et' the car start-ingr. The switch structure 'lui-nis n part elf the present invention aiiil iiny switch, the @lensing el which is ilepenileupon either the slel'iping; et the car, the Starting tlieree't' er the opening er clesing;v et the elevator eliatt iluers te taite en :i passenger will sutlice fer the cajifyiiip,F cut et the present inventien.

It will appear treni what has been siiiil that even tlieugijh the niagnet et the 'iir closes the circuit just describedV at the centact 2li, this circuit will net be c .-niplctcil unless the switch 58 is clcsetl. lit it bc assumed that the car steps at i lleei', 'altes en the pessenger whe piessei the bulten.

5, nml proceeds; 0n its way ilewn 'the shalt it tellewe treni what has been eaiil that the switch 58 Will be closed, it leest nienicntaiily, and such clesi e* et the swi'ch will ceniplete 'the circuit described. fis this circuit llews through the magnet 35 et lh push button instrument, it'wiil energize such ineggnet with the result that itsai'inature 36 will be raiseil te release lie "rarity latch Al() ainl permit it te gifiii'iizite inte the ni'irinal. inactive pesitieii shewn in lipj. l lhls resetting cit the. push buiten swiic i i thus, in the System shewn, dependent u the closing; oit switch 58, but l w ilersteeil that, in inactive, the may be entirely riniitted without,l from this invention.

The circuit just described nia'v be teiiiieil the push hutten resetting; eircuitlas its lunctien is te return the push hutten te initial position after it has been eneretetl. cuit he l etere il( ribceiL cent-eet el) of the push init-ten l l t) lill) the contact 141- of the instrument 7 and the delayed signals 3 and il, may be aptly termed the delayed signal circuit. The shuntcircuit 5l which includes the lamp 2 may be accurately described as the immediate signal circuit.

have assumed in describing the push button resettingcircuit that the car has stopped and` taken on passengers from the floor at *which the push button 5 is positioned and so i clfected a resetting` of the push button. As

the car proceeds doivn the shaft and passes the instrument S), the magneto acts upon its armature 50 to momentarily completeA a circuit at the Contact 32. the following' wiring. A wire 59 leads from the generator 43 to the magnet l0 of the instrument 7, tl ence to the magnet 2l of the instrument` 8 and thence to the sivitch 30.r This Wire 59 includes the magnets 10 and 21 in series with the sivitch 30. From the contact 32, a wire G() leads to the Wire 57, which connects with the generator. Accordingly,

the operation of the switch by the magy' not 6 of the car causes a'momentary impulse of current to pass through both magnets l0 and 2l. Such impulse of current will simultaneously reset the instruments 7 and S `and open the delayed signal circuit and the since function is to restore the instrui ments 7 and 8 to normal inactive condition.

lt has been assumed up to this time that the car is'stopped at the floor and taken on the passengers. ln practice, when Wiring` a building,r having` a plurality of elevator cars, T preferably connect the wiringof the various shafts, so that When a push button is operated on a particular floor, Athe signal giving' mechanism of all cars will be responsive to that particular push button Vor a series of push buttons on that floor, so that if one car full and annot stop and taire on additional passengers, it may proceed along its ivay, and past the floor Without cancelling the signal, so that said signal may be picked up by the next car. This connecting of number of car signals is common in the elevator art and the manner in which the iviringr system of the drawings may be adapted toen-installation of a plurality of cars will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. v

lf it noiv he assumed that the car l has not stopped at the floor, but has proceeded doivn the shaft, the operation of the switch 3l) of the instrument 9 vvill reset both the instruments 7 and 8 of the car l, but Will not This circuit includes n influence the corresponding instruments of other cars, which are responsive to the pushk button and will be operated when some other car comes within the signaling zene.

lf desired, floor lamps may be used in conjunction with the system of this invention. That is to say, lamps may be positioned at the various iloors of tho building to be used to notify passengers of the approach of the car. Such a lamp is shown at (il in Figure l. It is connected ivith the source of current supply eilthrough Wire 5() and Wire G2, while from the lamp Gl., a ivire 63 leads to the pivot 12 of the armature il.

ln practice, the instrument 7 is positioned above the floor Where the push button 5 located and at which lthe lamp Gl is positioned, so that as the car approaches the floor, the carl magnet 6 passes the armature 19 of instrument 7 before said car reaches the floor. In practice, the instrument 7 may be positioned one or two iioors or even three floors above the floor at which the push button 5 is located, so that as the car moves down the shaft, in appr'caching` the .floor where the push button is, the magnet 6 in passing` its armature 19 ksets the instriuncnt 7 and completes the circuit through the lamp Gl by way of the Wires 5l), (32 and G3, throne-h switch 13 and contact lei, Wire 46, contact 39, switch SS, armature 3G, latch 4l), and wires 4:5 and Ll-l. ln other 'vords, the floor lamp circuit may be operated in conjunction with the car signaling circuit, so tliatat the same time the car operator gets the signal `Yfrom the floor, the loor is signaled of the approach of the car.

From the foregoing detailed description of the simple Wiring diagram shown in Figure l. of the drawings, those skilled in the art Will readily appreiate the simplicity and practical merit of the present invention. In Wiring a buildingL having a number of floors, the Wiring; diagram is substantially duplicated for Vthe various floors. his does not mean that at each iloor the Wiring diagram shown in Figure l will be found, but cach floor Will have associated with it such a series of circuits. This series of circuits may extend up ordoivn the shaft for one, two or even more floors, but in making),` the installation, the circuits of one floor will overlap the circuits of the next one or two floors. The purpose of this that a. ear may receive a delayed signal at` one or tvvo floors above or below the tloor on lwhich. it is to stop. If the instrument 7, for example, were placed at the third floor and was operated by a push button positioned on the third Hoor, it is obvious that the car operator would not receive the sig' al from the push button until the car had arrived the third floor and this would not `give the operator time to stop the car before he passed the floor.

It is desirable in elevator installations to signal two or three floors ahead and this explains the overlapping ol the circuits of the several loors. lheoretically speaking, the system of the present invention might be built up ol separate and independent units positioned at cach Hoor and not overlapping` as described, so that the systen'is could be installed l'loor by 'l'loor as the building is being built. rlhis statell'ient is made in order that the unitary character of the system ot this invention may be appreciated and that it may ie understood that the top and bottom floors ot a twenty story building' do not 'lorm part ot the same Wiring` system o'l cilher tioor or tor the intermediate 'floors'.

Ulf utmost limportance is the 'tact that the instrument 6 farried by the elevator car has no mechanical connection with the instruments 7, 8 and i). Moreover, lthere is no wiring between these instruments, the latter set ot instruments are operated i'rom the .former instrument purely by magnetism. l am aware that vthe imitruments G, 7, S and 9 might be modilied, so as lo render the instruments 7, S and 9 operable by an imluced currentlirom the instrument G. However, the magnetic control is preferred. In the use of either magnetism or an induced current, mechanical or Wiring' connectiouf-i between the operatiuit,Y parts ot the instruments 7, 8 and S) and the instrmnent G which actuales these paris is entirely obviated with consequent elimiuatum ot dii'lirulties and disadvantages, Well known as prevalent in prior systems, where the signal giving means is controlled through mechanical connections 'with a car or with the overhead iin the system described, the signals are coordinated with the movement oi the car at all times and at the same time the cost oli wiring,Y and labor is reduced to a minimiiun.

Another important lieature ot the invention resides in the 'tact that all circuits are normally dead, except the circuit to the instrmnent No current .is needed to operate 'the push button or maintain it in signal giving), position. The pressing ot' a push button mechanically locks the buttoi'l in signai giving position and .it is mechanically held there until electrically released by a circuit normally dead.

lt. will, ot course, be understood that While l have shown only the circuits Ytor the down signals o'l` the car l that these are duplicated lor the up signals ot such car. It has not been considered necessary to illustrate the Wiring diagrams of tivo such coordinated signals, as anyone skilled in the art will readily luldersl'und the i'nanner o't installing them.

"hroughout the lioregoing;l detailed description o'l the in\f'ention, in its preferred form, tho instrun'ients 7, 8 and have been described :is mounted in stationary positions in the shaft, while the .instrmnent G has been described mounted on or carried by the car. This is the preferred construction, but not the exclusive one. For example, the instrun'ients 7, S and E) may be mounted in 'the shaft in stationary i'iositions while the instrument G may be associaled with the counterbalancing Weights ot the elevator car. This latter construction will wort: out very satisfactorily in practice, though, ol course, slight .stretchingr or contracting ol the cables would be apt to cause the signals to be given a little sooner or i` little later than as thcf were originally adjusted. h'loreovcr, il desired, the instruments 7, S and S) may be mounted on Vthe overhead and instrument. 6 operated 'from the overhead in synchronism with the movements ot the elevator car. Accordingly, the present invention is not restricted to the specific situations ot the instruments (i, 7, S and il which placements may be varied without changing; their tunetions in substance, or suliistamiially changingA their mode ot operation.

From vwhat has been said. it becomes apparent that one oil the tundaimntal or neric `features o'f the present invention reflaides in the novel principle oit operation exemplified by the control oft the instruments T, S and S) by the instrument (5 across the intervening' space, whereby the use of Wiring connections or mechanical connections, such as trips, wipers or brushes are entirely dispensedjuf'ith. he trinismission ot energy through space, and, specifically, Ythe transmission o electrical enero.7 thrmigh the space interveninev the controlling;` instrument and the instrl'unent to be controlled, is, in the preferred manner of practiciifur this invent-ion, electromagnetic, though, ii. desired, electrical. induction may be employed. This mode of operation and control of signals ol an elevator signaliiig system is brinully novel and its employment results in a marked ad- .vance in the art, and not onl 1 as producing' high cl'liciency, but, aiso, in the minimizing; olE installation und ma intenance costs.

rlhe practical irieritormancc oit this invention is based upon a novel method 'forming part oit 'this invention, as will be ai'iparent lirom the 'foregoing description.

In ins'callingv the system o'l.f the present invention, it may be associated 'with cars oi" either the hydraulic, electric or purely mechanically operated types, and, in these different environments, it may be changed or modilied, as by the substitution o'lE couirulents, to best suit the liarticular environment in which it is installed. Accordingly, the invention is not restricted to the speeilic showing hereinbeilore advanced, and illustrated in the drawings, but is 'to be cons-:lrued as broadly novel as is eommensurale with the appended claims.

lll)

CII

-Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. ln an elevator' wiring system, the combination with an elevator cage mounted to travel vertically in an elevator shaft, of a normally inactive electric device carried by the cage, magnetically operated switch means positioned in the shaft, a circuit including said electric device and magnetically operated switch means, and a magnet carried by Athe cage in a position to be moved with the cage past and in relatively close proximity with the magnetically operated switch means in the shaft tor the purpose et closing said electric device circuit, said switch means in cluding means for holding said device circuit closed alter operation by said cage magnet, and means for restoring said switch means to normal open position.

2. iin elevator wiring system embodying an elevator cage mounted ,tor vertical travel in an elevator shait, and electric device carried by the cage, a magnetically operable switch in the shaft, a circuit including said magnetically operable switch and electric device, a magnet carried by the cage in a position to be moved with the cage past and yin relatively close proximity lwith the switch :in the shalt for operating said switch lto energize the electric device, said switch in cluding means ior holding the switch closed after it has been closed by the magnet, and means for restoring the switch to normal open condition.

An elevator wiring system embodying an elevator cage mounted for vertical movement in an elevator' sha-ft, a magnet carried by the rage, a plurality of lmagnet controlled switches Correspending` to several floors of the building and mounted in fixed positions in the shalt, so'that through movement of the cage, the magnet thereon is brought into relatively close proximity'with said switches in succession, a normally inactive electric device on the cage, electrical circuits including said electricdevice and also said switches, means for' locking the switches closed alter they have been closed by a magnet on the cage to selectively actuate said electric device, and means :tor thereafter opening said switches to selectively render said rdevice inactive. y

el. An elevator wiring system embodying an elevator cage, an `electric device carried by the cage, magnetically operable means positioned partially on and partially oit the cage for energizing the velectric device, a magnet mounted on the cage and movable therewith for magnetically operating the magnetically operable means when said magniet is in proximity to a portion of said magnetically operable means which is positioned oil the cage, said` magnetically operable means being constructed to maintain the electrical device in energized condition after it has been energized, and means for there after' operating the magnetically operable means to fle-energize the electrical device.

5. An elevator wiring system embodying an elevator cage, an electric device carried,

by the cage, means for enerpjzing` and deenergizing the electric device embodying electric switches mounted oil the cage in sub stantially fixed vertical alinenient relative to 1the shaft, amagnet carried by the cage in a position 'to be carried by the cage into Vprox imity with the switches in succession for operating said switches in succession tor the purpose of energizing and de-energizingthe electric device when said magnet comes into proximity with said switche id means' for maintaining certain of said switches closed until another ot them operated.

6. An elevator wiring system embodying an elevator cage mounted for vertical nievem'ent in an elevator shaft, an electric device carried in the cage, switch mechanism mounted in relatively tired position in the sha'it,`wiring connections between the switch mechanism and the electric device, means mounted on the cage and movable tlierewith past the switch mechanism for transmitting energy through the space between the switch mechanism and said means to o ilierate the former from 'the latter to operate the electric device when'the loriner and the latter are substantially juxtapi'ised, said switch ineclianism iiicluding means to lock the switcii closed atterit has been closed, and means ,tor lthereafter unlocking said switch to allow the opening thereof.

7. An elevator wiring system embodying an elevator cage mounted ttor vertical movement infan elevator shaft, a signal on the cage, a switch in the shaft provided with an armature, when magnetically operated, to close said switch, electrical conner-,tionslben tween said switch and the signal in the cage whereby the latter is controlled by the Yformer, a magnet mounted on the cage and movable therewith past the switch armature and in proximity thereto, while free from contact therewith for the purpose of moving the armature to actuate the switch and set the signal, means for maintaining the switch closed after it has been closed, and means for thereafter opening the switch.

8. An elevator wiring system embodying an elevator cage mounted to vertically travel in an elevator shaft, a signal carried by the cage, electromagnetic means for eiiectiiig the setting of said signal, which electromagnetic means is positioned partially in stationary position in the shaft, and anothe part of which electromagnetic means is carried by the cage into and out of relatively close proximity with a part oi the electron egnetic means mounted in the shaft and without mechanical or wiring connections therewith, an

electric circuit including the signal in the cage and the part of the electromagnetic means which is positioned in the shaft, means for n'iaintaininn` the siejnal set after; it has been set, and means for thereafter canceling the signal..

9. An elevator wiring;- system embodying;- an elevator caire, an electric device carried by the cage, a magnet operated switch torV controlling' the electric device, a push button controlled switch adapted to be closed upon operation ot the push luitton, a circuit, including,r the electric device, the magnet operated switch and push button controlled switch, means t'or locltinjr;y the push button controlled switch closed after it has been closed, and a` magnet carried by the caffe past and in relatively close proinnit'y w: h`the magnet operated switch :tor actuating' the magnet Operetten svvitch to eoniplete the circuit to the electric dei/*ice :litter the push button controlled switch has been closed, means :tor holding,r the magnet operated switch closed after it has been closed, and means itor thereaflitcr opening` said magnet operated switch.

l0. An elevator wiring' system embodyingl an elevator cage, a signal ou the cage, a pas senyfefs push button at a llioor, passeirger switch ope able by such push button, a magnet operated switch positioned `oil1 the cage for coi'ltrolling the signal, a circuit including' the signal, the passenger switch and the magnet operated switch, ay magnet carried by the cage past and in relatively close proximity with the magnet operated switch tor actuatingT tho magnet operated switch to energize the signal after the push button has been operated, means for holding the ma `gnet operated switch closed after it has been closed, and means for thereafter opening` 'the swi tch.

ll. An elevator wiring` system embodying elevator cage, mounted for vertical. movement in a shaft, a signal on the canje, an electric circuit for energ'izing` said signal` a magnetically operated switch included in said circuit and mounted in iixed position in the shaft, and a, passengers door switch also included in said circuit, in combination with electromagnetic means carried by the caire and at all times tree. from Contact with tue shait't switch, said electrical means being;` adapted, when juxtaposed with the said shaft switch, to transmit energy through the intervening' space to operate the stationary switch, whereby, it the passengers tloor switch is closed, the signal will be ope `ated, means for holding the shaft switch closed after it has been closet, and means, controlled by the electromagnetic moans of the cage, -for thereafter opening said shaft switch.

l2. An elevator wiring system embodying an elevator cage mounted 'tor vertical movement in a shaft, a signal in the cage, an electric circuit for energizing said signal, and means for controlling said circuit. which means embodies an electromamiet and its arn'iature, the electromagnet being carried by the cage and its armature heini;r mounted in relatively stationary position in the shaft't and 'torining` an elcctrr switch, which is `included in said electric circuit, means ior maintainil'ig the electric switch Yin closed position a'tter it has been closedz and means tor thereafter opening said switch.

lil An elevator wiring system embodying,` :in elevziitor cage, a signal carried by the canje, a switch operating magnet carried by the cage, an electric circuit incllu'ling;` the signal and two stationary switches, one ot which switches is adapte ,l to be closed by an intended passenger and the other ot which is positioned to be closed b v the switch operatinn magno.; :is the cage moves past it in the shatt, means ttor maintaining; at least one oit said switches closed :litter they have been clef-sed, and .means 'for thereafter opening said snvitches. i

111i. An elevator' wiring system embodying an elevator cage, a signal in said cage, a nnurnetically operated switch embodying means tor holdingT it closed a'lter it has been closed, an electric circuit inclruflinfr the sib nal and the switch, and electromagnetic means carried. by the cage in a positioii to be moved with the cage past and in relatively close proximity with the switch for closing` the switch, in combination with additional n'ieuns also operable by the same electromagnetic means for subsequently opening said switch. f

15. ln an elevator wiring system, the combination of an elevator cage, mounted to travel vertically in an elevator shaft, a sigh nal on the cage and movable therewith vcrticaily ot the shaft, a magnet carried by the ea 'e, signal set-ting and restoring means for cowrolliug the signal in the cage, said means embodying switches mounted in the shaft in positions to be successively operated by the same cage magnet during its passage in p rox i in ity thereto.

16. ln an elevator wiring system, lthe coinbination ot an elevator cage mounted to travel vertically in an elevator shaft, an electric device, a magnet carried lby the cage, eneag'izing` and dri-energizing switches for controlling the operation of said electric dc vice, said switches being mounted in the sha'tt in positions to be succesI `ively operated by the same cage magnet duringits passage in proximity thereto, means 'for mechanically locking` the energi'lxing switch in closed position when it is closed by the cage magnet, and means, controlled by the (le-energiziiig switch tor releasing the mechanical lockin;- means of the energizingz,Y switch when the (le-energizing switch is operated by the cage llfl magnet, said magnet being mounted on the 'age in a position to be moved with the cage past' and'in relatively close proximity to said switches.

17. In an elevator wiring system, the combination ot an elevator' cage mounted to travel vertically in an elevatorl shalt, an electric device, a magnet carried by the cage, a push button switch, electric*devilz setting, electric device resetting, and'push but-- ton restoring means embodying switches mounted in the shalt and in positions to be successively operated by the same cage mae'- net during its passage in proximity thereto, the electric device setting switch being included in a circuit with the electric device and the push button switch te energize the electric device when both the push button and setting switches are closed, means tor mechanically locking the push button, setting and restoring switches closed after they have been closed, means for unlocking said switches alter they have been locked, a circuit including the restoring switch and the unlocking means ot the push button switch tor unlocking` the push button switch when the restoring switch is operated by the cage magnet, and electrical means'including the resetting switch and the unlocking` means et the setting and restoring switches and operable when energized to unlock both the setting and restoring switches to permit them and the push button switch to assume their norm-al open position;

18. In an elevator wiring system, the combination et an elevator cage mounted to travel vertically in an elevator shalt, an electric device, a magnet carried by the cage, a push button switch, electric device setting, electric device resetting, and push button restoring switches mounted inthe shalt and in positions to be successively operated by the same cage magnet during its passage in proximity thereto, the electric device setting switch being included in a circuit with the electric device and the push button switch to energize the electric device when both the push button and setting switches are closed, means for mechanically locking the push button, setting and restoring switches closed atter they have been closed, means tor unlocking said switches alter they have been locked, a circuit including the restoring switch kand the unlocking means ot the pushl button switch tor unlocking the push" button switch when the restoring switch is operated by the cage magnet, electrical means including the resetting switchl and the unlocking means ot the setti-ng and restoring switches and operable when energized to unlock both the setting and restoring` switches to permit them and the push button switch to assume 'their normalV open position, and a governor switch included. in the push im on. rest circuit,

magnet being mounted on the cage in position tobe moved with the cage past and in relatively close proximity to the switches in the shaft. t

l). 'In an elevator wiring system ot the character wherein the operation of a signal in a cage is rcontrolled by a push button at a licor, an elevator mounted to travel in an elciuitor shalt, a signal in the cage, and a push button at a floor, in combination with a switch operable by the push button to be closed thereby, ni ins tor locking said push button switch in closed position after it has ocen closed, a restoring magnet for unlocking the push button switch to permit it to assume its normal open position, a magnet carried by the cage, a magnetica ly op Laol restoring switch mounted in the sh' and adapted to be operated by the cage magnet when the latter passes in proximity thereto, and a circuit including said restorine switch and the restoring magnet oit the push button switch, whereby the push button switch is unlocked when the cage magnet passes the restoring switch.

20. ln an elevator wiring system, the combination with an elevator cagey mounted to travel vertically in an elevator shaft, of a normally inactive electric device carried by the cage, magnetically operated switch means positionediu the shaft, a circuit including .said electric device and n'iagnetically operated switch means, and a magnet carried by the cage in a position to be moved with the cage past and in relatively close proXim ity with the magnetically operated switch means in the shaft tor the purpose of closing said electric device circuit, said switch means including means for holding said device circuit closed after operation by said cage magnet, and means tor restoring said switch means to normal open position, in combination with a landing signal positioned at a iioor and electrically connected to and controlled by said magnetically operated switch means.

2l. An elevator wiring system embodying an elevator cage, anelectric device carried by the cage, a normally open magnetically operable switch positioned oli the cage and electrically connected with the electric device Ion the cage, a magnet carried' by the cage and movable therewith tor closing said switch to energize said device when said magnet is brought by movement ot the cage into proximity with said switch, means for holding tl'ie switch in closed position alter has been cl sed, and means for subse` q uently releasing the switch to permit of opening thereof.

ln an elei'ator wiring system, an elevator cage mounted to travel vertically in a shalt, a signal in the cage, a push button at arcor, a signal giving switch operable hy sind push baton to ha closed when i'zhe llO push button is Operated, a circuit including' said switch and the signal in flic cage, whereby ihe signal will be energized as soon as the push button ie operted, means for locking said switch closed after ithas been closed to maii'riain the signal eiiergized, a normally open magnetically operable switch mounted in the shaft, means for unlocking the Signal givingr switch, a restoring?)- circuit including the unlocking means and the magnetically Operable Switch to unlock the signal giving` switch when the magnetically operable switch is closed, aml a magnet carried by the cago and movable therewith into and out of proximity willi the magnetically operable switch to close Said switch to energize the restoring circuit.

In testimony whereof I have signed the oregoinl specification.

FRANZ A. BOEDTCHER. 

